ROOM AND BOARD – Doug Cohen, president of Newport Hotel Group, speaks to board members of the Greater Hyannis Civic Association Oct. 9 on his plans for a new year-round hotel across from the inner harbor.

Hotel, armory, airport projects to be heard

The Greater Hyannis Civic Association has wanted to raise its profile for some time. It appears that effort has paid off, with proponents of various projects lining up to make their case before the board.

This week, Doug Cohen, president of the Newport Hotel Group, took his turn to answer questions about his proposed 68-room, year-round hotel across from the Hy-Line docks. In coming months, Homeless Not Helpless will talk about its programs, backers of visions for the former Hyannis armory will make their pitches, and the airport commission will review potential development of its real estate “outside the fence.”

In a low-key presentation backed by drawings of the planned hotel, Cohen noted that the Hyannis Harbor Hotel would not have a restaurant but would have in-room kitchenettes. The building, he said, would have “a nautical feeling in keeping with Hyannis harbor” and feature a roof deck for guests.

Cohen said the company decided not to make its existing hotel year-round because the building is not winterized and has many outside corridors. That building will remain, but the new hotel will be “something a little higher-end,” he said. In response to a question, Cohen said in-season rates could range from $300 to $340 but drop much lower in other months.

As for the market for a year-round harbor hotel, Cohen said that with only 68 rooms the company could see what develops. He said Cape Cod Hospital could be a source for guests, as well as people traveling to and from the Islands. The harbor area, he said, “is becoming very vibrant.”

Cohen said his company isn’t in business to flip properties, so there are no plans to build a hotel and then convert it to condos or timeshares. “Our interest is to buy and hold,” he said of the company’s multiple hotel properties.

With formal site plan review, two planning board hearings and an appearance before the town council ahead, the project isn’t happening tomorrow. The board agreed to form a subcommittee to look into the proposal and report back.